Devotional messages on the book of Matthew sorted by verse
Burdened Past, Brilliant Prospects
Ponder the weight of the past which Jesus brought into this world. Abraham, who twice claimed that Sarah was his sister in order to save his own skin. Isaac, who followed his father’s corrupt example out of the same craven... continued »
Jesus Christ, the Son of … Abraham
Abraham left the wealth and power of Ur to go to Palestine Jesus left the palaces of heaven to descend to Bethlehem Abraham offered his son Isaac on the altar Jesus offered himself on the Cross Abraham’s son did not... continued »
Jesus Christ, the Son of David
David overcame Goliath by the weakness of a sling Jesus defeated Satan through the weakness of the Cross David attracted men of the lowest sort Jesus consorted with sinners and chose men of humble station David would not take the... continued »
Jesus, the True Israel
By applying this quotation from Hosea to Jesus, Matthew identifies Him as the true Israel, the fulfillment of all the types, shadows, and promises of the Old Testament. In Abraham, God said, all nations will be blessed; Jesus begins his... continued »
Conceived by the Holy Spirit
The conception of Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary was a stunning, spectacular, unique miracle, the greatest act of God since the creation of the world. continued »
Jesus the Man
Although the angel’s words to Joseph show that He is God, they also point to His humanity. In every way, Jesus was a true man. Physically He was conceived in Mary’s womb and born as an infant like the rest... continued »
Is Jesus God?
Matthew had begun his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus, “the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (1:1). That showed His human origin and nature. Now, however, he relates the words of the angel to Joseph, Mary’s fiancé, which... continued »
Salvation From What?
With these words, the angel announced to Joseph what Mary’s child would come to do. Jesus was not born primarily to deliver us from sickness, poverty, pain, confusion, and conflict. Followers of Christ are not exempt from the troubles of... continued »
What Is “Salvation”?
In what ways did Jesus save His people? He delivered them from bondage to self and to the world, by calling them to follow Him (4:18-22). He freed them from all sorts of illness, by healing them (4:23-24). He liberated... continued »
Who Gets Saved?
As soon as we read this verse, we ask, “Who are His people?” In other words, Who can be saved? To put it another way, How can we be saved? Throughout his Gospel, Matthew tells us what Jesus said about... continued »
How Does Jesus Save?
Now that He has died, risen, and ascended to the Father’s right hand, just how does Jesus “save His people from their sins”? He has completed the work of redemption and made it possible for us to be reconciled with... continued »
Savior From What?
These words to Joseph by the angel explain precisely what Jesus came to do: To save His people from their sins. Notice that Jesus did not come primarily to save people from sickness, though He did heal all who came... continued »
God With Us
The rest of Matthew’s Gospel documents the evidence for the full deity of Jesus. From the very beginning of His ministry, He healed “all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people” (4:23). Again and again, He... continued »
Alone No More
Even before His birth, the angel proclaims Jesus as the Great Companion. At the end of his Gospel, Matthew records Jesus’ final words: “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” “Immanuel” – “God with... continued »
Responding to Jesus
The wise men from the East traveled hundreds – perhaps thousands – of miles in order to worship Jesus, whom they knew only to be the King of the Jews. “Worship” can take many forms: The wise men fell down... continued »
Why Worship?
The wise men from the East traveled many miles for one purpose: To worship the new King of the Jews. But why? Some people worship God for what for what He has done in the past. Others worship Him because... continued »
Evil in High Places
What news could upset such powerful people? Wise men had come from the East, following a star which they considered to point to a new-born child, who was king of the Jews. Herod knew the child was not his, and... continued »
God’s Beloved Son
The verse to which Matthew refers is found in the eleventh chapter of Hosea, one of the most moving passages in the entire Bible. Here God declares his undying love for Israel, his adopted son: When Israel was a child,... continued »
Son(s) of God
Jesus was not only a man who lived in first-century Palestine, but also the eternal Son of God. This unique God-Man was conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20), so that He could rightly inherit the promised name, Immanuel, which... continued »
Mourning Loss (4)
We have seen that Jeremiah 31, from which this quotation was taken by Matthew, brims with hope for Israel’s future. The people would return from exile in Babylon and the land of Benjamin would again be filled with children. Mourning... continued »
Mourning Loss (3)
By quoting this passage from Jeremiah 31:15, Matthew injects hope into the otherwise dismal account of the brutal slaughter of innocent children by jealous King Herod. As the prophet Jeremiah declared long ago, though God chastises His people severely, He... continued »
Preparing for the King
John was sent by God to “Prepare the way of the LORD,” in fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah 40:3. How did he seek to get people ready for the coming of Jesus, the long-promised Messiah and Savior of Israel?... continued »
The Peril of Pride
John the Baptist rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees, not because they came to be baptized, but because they came with the wrong motives. They were still in the grip of pride, which prevented them from true repentance and thus receiving... continued »
The Fire to Come
John repeatedly warns his hearers of “the wrath to come” (3:7), which he describes as a fire – the most painful of torments. This awful judgment will come from Jesus, who will either baptize people with the Holy Spirit, or... continued »
Holy Spirit Baptism
John not only announces judgment to come upon all who refuse to repent and believe the Gospel. He also proclaims the good news of Christ. The Coming One will baptize repentant believers with the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16;... continued »
The Path to Blessing
When did Jesus hear these words of blessing? Only after He had come up from the Jordan River, where He had been baptized by John the Baptist. John had at first refused to baptize Jesus, saying, “I need to be... continued »
Victory Over Temptation
These words by Jesus, and the two other quotations from the Hebrew Bible He used to counter Satan’s wiles, show us how to overcome temptation. Consider: - The nature of temptation: Jesus was hungry, and alone in a barren wilderness.... continued »
The Light of Life
Matthew quotes these words from Isaiah 9:2 to introduce the ministry of Jesus in Galilee. Though many devout Jews lived there, the area was called “Galilee of the Gentiles” because of the heavy non-Jewish population. Before Jesus began walking among... continued »
To Greet a King
To repent is to recognize the error of your ways; to regret having offended God; to renounce your sinful attitudes and actions; and to return to God in humble faith. Why did Jesus command people to repent? Because “the kingdom... continued »
Follow Me (1)
Jesus issues the same summons to us today. Why did those first disciples follow Him? Why should we follow Him? Matthew gives us several compelling reasons: Jesus “will save His people from their sins” (1:21). He is “Immanuel… God with... continued »
Follow Me (2)
What does it mean to follow Jesus? He summons us, first, to adhere to His words. To be more specific, we are to follow His creed. Followers of Jesus will believe what He taught, about God: That He is a... continued »
Follow Me (3)
We have seen that to follow Jesus is to adhere to His words. But that is not all. Disciples of Christ will also follow in His ways. Like Him, they will walk the path of: Testimony to God’s truth: “And... continued »
Follow Me (4)
If Jesus’ disciples obey His teachings, how will that make them “fishers of men”? Think for a moment what it would be like if Christians actually lived, to a substantial degree, as Jesus told them to live. They would be:... continued »
Follow Me (5)
Notice the promise: Jesus will make His followers fishers of men. He does not promise to make them wealthy, or healthy. He does not offer them fame, or comfort, or popularity, or pleasure. He only promises that they will attract... continued »
Why Jesus Heals
We can understand why Jesus would go around teaching the Word of God. But why did He heal all kinds of illness and disease? The answer to this question shows us a great deal about Christ. Jesus healed and cast... continued »
Conditions for Healing
Although some people still receive miraculous healing simply through faith in Christ, most do not. The natural question is, “Why?” This passage, along with others in the New Testament, gives us several clues. Notice that Jesus also taught the people... continued »
When God Does Not Heal
Sometimes God does not heal people because they are not following His teaching or heeding His command to repent and believe. Are there any other reasons why healing does not come? Once again, the Bible gives some clues. - Jesus... continued »
When Poverty Brings Blessing
The world admires those who are “rich in spirit” – the confident, capable men and women who run the government, business, education, entertainment, and the media. We are taught to believe in ourselves, express ourselves, fulfill ourselves, promote ourselves. The... continued »
Happy are the Unhappy
We have no lack of causes for unhappiness. We may be sad because our investments have lost value, dashing our hopes and threatening our financial future. Failure in work or in love can provoke deep sorrow. Rejection by those who... continued »
Exempt From Sorrow?
Followers of Jesus Christ will partake of many of the same sorrows that others experience, as we have seen. Indeed, they will have some pain that non-believers do not, for their loving hearts will break over their own sin and... continued »
Comfort Now
Believers in Christ will suffer grief along with the rest of the world, but they will also enjoy comfort, even in this life. Will they receive back their dead loved ones? No! Will they always get a second chance, or... continued »
Divine Consolation
Loss brings grief. Major losses produce profound grief. Permanent major losses can engender lasting, inconsolable sorrow. What does the Bible say to such pain? That the ruined relationship will be repaired? The failure undone? The loved one brought back to... continued »
The Greatest Comfort
Disease, discord, and death, painful as they are, represent only symptoms of a deeper disorder: Our disobedience towards God and impending doom under His righteous wrath. That is why no sorrow compares to the agony of a violated conscience. We... continued »
Blessed are the Merciful
Jesus continues His description of those who are really happy and to be admired by pointing out the reward coming to those who are merciful. What does “merciful” mean? We can see the face of mercy by looking at the... continued »
What Is God Like?
While on earth, Jesus demonstrated mercy by meeting the needs of people in deep trouble. In doing so He was only following the pattern laid down for us in the Old Testament, where God is pictured as full of mercy.... continued »
Pardon - or Perish!
We have seen that mercy involves pity for those in need, plus action to relieve that need. Since our greatest need is for forgiveness, God shows His mercy primarily by pardoning our sins. Without such pardon, we are lost. We... continued »
How to Become Merciful
God commands us to show pity to others in need, and pardon to those who have offended us. But our hearts resist this order. We find it hard to feel others’ pain, and even harder to forgive their past misdeeds.... continued »
How To Be A Peacemaker (2)
We have seen that peacemakers must have certain attitudes. Now let us look at the actions of peacemakers towards those who have done them harm: Forsaking anger. Jesus taught that anger can be as serious an offense as murder (Matthew... continued »
How to be a Peacemaker (3)
We cannot avoid conflict and hurt, but we can seek to conquer bitterness and estrangement. When someone offends us, what should we do? After checking our attitudes and beginning to act as Jesus commanded in the Sermon on the Mount,... continued »
Jesus the Peacemaker
The reason why peacemakers will be called sons of God is that their attitudes and actions resemble those of the Son of God, Jesus. Their lifestyle declares that they have a living relationship with the ultimate Peacemaker, in whose steps... continued »
The Price of Peace
What does peace cost? Local governments spend a great deal of money to maintain peace and safety in the community. The amount expended on national defense to prevent war is incalculable. What does personal peace cost? We must first try... continued »
Salt and Light
Salt and light – two indispensable elements of life. Salt preserves from decay and corruption, and it adds flavor to foods. Before refrigeration, its use was mandatory to prevent spoilage of meat. Light provides illumination so that we can see... continued »
Whose Glory?
We do everything for a purpose. One common goal is to make ourselves look good. We act in order to impress others. In Jesus’ words, we “receive honor [glory] from one another…” (John 5:44). That is why many religious -... continued »
Jesus and the Old Testament
Since Jesus’ own day, many have believed the He stood in opposition to the Hebrew Bible – the “Law and the Prophets.” His teaching in the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, with its “antithesis” (“You have heard that... continued »
Practice What You Preach!
With these words, Jesus teaches several powerful truths: - Practice precedes preaching. Unless we “walk the walk,” we should not try to “talk the talk.” That does not mean sinless perfection, but a sustained effort to know and to do... continued »
An “Impossible” Standard
The Pharisees were known as the most “righteous” people of their time, but Jesus tells His disciples that their righteousness must surpass that of these noted teachers of the Law. In the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, and... continued »
Murder in the Cathedral
Most of us do not commit murder. But we allow anger and resentment to fester in our hearts. Our spite and bitterness then find expression in words of contempt and curse. Jesus knew the source of murder, and exposed the... continued »
The Process of Peace
After warning us of the eternal consequences of resentment, Jesus instructs us in how to be reconcile us with someone whom we have offended. Notice carefully: Jesus does not tell us how to deal with someone who has offended us... continued »
Does Hell Exist?
Though many religions believe that there is a place of punishment after this life, most people today do not think that there is a hell. They use that word only to curse someone or to describe a particularly unpleasant experience... continued »
The Sanctity of Sex
To understand Jesus’ teaching about sexual sin, we must first consider what the Bible says about sex and marriage. For that, we shall turn to the opening chapters of the Bible: “On the sixth day of creation, God said, ‘Let... continued »
The Purposes of Sex
We have seen that sex within marriage is sacred. Now let us look at some of the purposes for which God has bestowed this gift upon married men and women: To reflect the unity and plurality within God Himself, especially... continued »
The Power of Sex
No one needs to be reminded that the mutual attraction of men and women for each other contains great power, both for good and for ill. Between husband and wife, it can: - Cause a man “to leave his father... continued »
The Perversions of Sex
God has given men and women a strong attraction for each other. This desire exceeds almost all others that we have, and can lead either to great joy or bitter sorrow. Since the fall of man, we have struggled with... continued »
The Power for Purity
God requires purity of heart in order for us to be saved and thus to see Him (Matthew 5:8). But our hearts rebel against His laws and wander away in idolatry, covetousness, and lust. The penalty for persistent indulgence in... continued »
Defeating Divorce (1)
As in our own time, so in Jesus’ day, divorce was rampant. Among Jews, the only question was, For what cause could a man put away his wife? (See Matthew 19:3). But Jesus had an entirely different approach. He acknowledged... continued »
Defeating Divorce (2)
From the context of this saying, we find insight into the causes and nature of divorce. Those who initiate divorce have forgotten to be poor in spirit; they do not mourn over their own sins; they are not meek, submitting... continued »
Defeating Divorce (3)
Looking more closely at the immediate context of Jesus’ words, we see that divorce moves in two directions: Away from our current marriage, and towards another,” better,” one. Even if they no one else in mind, most who divorce do... continued »
Defeating Divorce (4)
Divorce moves in two directions, as we have seen: Away from the current spouse, and towards someone else who seems better. People contemplating divorce long for the death of their marriage and are filled with desire for another, ”better,” one.... continued »
Defeating Divorce (5)
If divorce is not an option, what does God want us to do with an unhappy marriage? Does He just want us to suffer without relief? Is He cruel and sadistic? Does He not want us to be happy in... continued »
Rash Religious Language
At first glance, this saying of Jesus seems to have little to do with us today. Jews of His time were obviously profaning God’s name by using extravagant oaths to confirm their testimony, something we don’t do today, partly under the influence of this teaching. continued »
Reliable Speech
Jesus continues His authoritative interpretation of God’s moral law by forbidding all unreliable and unnecessary speech. First, he counters the current silly practice of swearing an oath by heaven or earth, Jerusalem, or even one’s head – all in an... continued »
Words That Count
Jesus had told His disciples not to swear oaths falsely and not to swear frivolously, by invoking heaven, earth, Jerusalem, or one’s own head, as contemporaries did. With these two principles, He puts boundaries on the use of our tongues.... continued »
The Other Cheek, The Second Mile
Jesus’ teaching runs counter to every impulse in the sinful human heart! Before we reject His words as totally unrealistic for life in our world, we need to try to understand what He meant. The Lord does not here address... continued »
Love My Enemy? (3)
When we have tried to forgive a person who has offended us or brought deep sorrow into our lives, we have not yet finished the process. continued »
Love My Enemy? (2)
After telling His disciples what they must do, Jesus then tells them why they must do so. continued »
Who Is the Real “Enemy”?
Jesus’ words strike to the core of our heart. He exposes our inability to love the unlovely, much less to love those who hate us or hurt us. In the previous verses, He told His disciples not to resist one... continued »
My Enemy, My Friend
Actually, my “enemy” is my friend. Think about it: When someone mistreats me, my reaction reveals the state of my heart. All too often, I respond with anger. If my anger were only outrage because God’s holiness had been violated,... continued »
Secret Service
Unlike hypocrites in every age, followers of Christ must not practice their piety before men, in order to be seen by them. Instead, they must seek the favor of God alone. continued »
Jesus Prayed
Jesus assumed that His disciples would draw near to God in prayer. He did not debate such issues as why we should pray if God knows everything, or tell us why God sometimes does not give us what we want.... continued »
Why Pray?
In one sentence, Jesus tells us why to pray: God will reward us. In other words Those who pray to God receive some sort of benefits. The letter to the Hebrews puts it this way: “He who comes to God... continued »
Talking to Your Father
Followers of Jesus Christ have a unique privilege: They may know God as Father. Though the Old testament refers to God as the Father of Israel as a nation, almost nowhere do we find pre-Christian Jews referring to God as... continued »
Whom Does God Reward?
According to Jesus, those who perform good works in order to be seen by others, and thus to gain glory, will receive a reward. They get what they want: Glory from men. “They have their reward,” Jesus wryly remarks. In... continued »
A Brief History of Prayer
Jesus assumed that His disciples would pray, because they were Jews. Ever since their great ancestor Abraham, the Hebrew people had learned to call upon their God for help in time of need. Abraham prayed for the innocent people living... continued »
How To Be A Peacemaker (1)
Becoming a peacemaker requires, first, certain attitudes. Jesus described these in the Beatitudes which precede this one: Poverty of spirit: If we recognize that we have no inherent righteousness or virtue, then we shall approach others with humility, relying only... continued »
What Is God’s Will?
How can we know what God wants us to do? Are there any reliable clues to His will for our lives? Certainly! Here are a few basic ingredients: - Suffering: “For to you it has been g ranted on behalf... continued »
Asking for Bread
Jesus here teaches His disciples to ask their heavenly Father for all their material needs. Notice that: - We are told to pray for what we need. That does not mean that we do not plan, or work, for the... continued »
How To Receive Forgiveness
Having taught us how to ask for what usually most concerns us – our material needs – Jesus now shows us how to pray for what most concerns Him – our spiritual needs. After all, the angel said that Jesus... continued »
Temptation and Prayer
Why does Jesus teach His disciples to pray like this? Because He knows that Satan prowls around, “like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Meanwhile, we are vulnerable to the enemy’s wiles, because “the spirit... continued »
Deliver Us From Evil
What is the evil from which we need deliverance? In Matthew’s Gospel alone, we encounter wicked, murderous kings; illness of all sorts; demonic influence; and sin. Behind all these lurks Satan, who is called “the evil one.” Thus, it does... continued »
Must I forgive Others?
This short passages poses at least three problems: (1) Why does Jesus say, “For, if you forgive…”? What does the for refer to? (2) Is the Lord putting a condition on God’s forgiving grace? I thought grace came to sinners... continued »
Fruitful Fasting
At least some Pharisees fasted twice a week, abstaining from food as a spiritual exercise (Luke 18:12). Moses and Elijah fasted for forty days; David, Daniel, Nehemiah and others fasted for shorter periods of time; and the whole nation was... continued »
Only One Master
Most of us spend our lives investing in this world’s goods. All day long, we plan, work, and worry about getting enough possessions to live and even to live comfortably. In the process, we often neglect God and His kingdom.... continued »
First Things First
Notice the flow of Jesus’ thought: First, He pronounced a blessing on those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness.” Next, He told His disciples to ask their heavenly Father, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Then He instructed them... continued »
Mammon’s Wages
When the Bible puts a “therefore” at the front of a sentence, we must ask, “Why? What does this sentence have to do with the previous words?” In this case, the question is, What connection does the command not to... continued »
How Much Are You Worth?
But we still do need to eat in order to live. Jesus knows that, and so He points to the birds: “ Look at the birds of the air…your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than... continued »
Useless Worry
Jesus continues his argument against worry. “Therefore” points to the reasons He has already given: If God takes care of the bird of the air, and clothes the grass of the field, will He not also provide for human beings... continued »
First Things First
Instead of focusing on bodily needs, Jesus commands us to set our hearts and minds on the kingdom and righteousness of God above all. He had earlier told them to pray, “Your kingdom come” (6:10). The kingdom of God is... continued »
Longing for Kingdom
What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God? We seek God’s kingdom when we:Listen to the voice of the King (Psalm 45:2). Delight in the beauty of the King (Psalm 45:2). Pray for the victory of the... continued »
God’s Righteousness
We have seen that the righteousness of which Jesus here speaks refers to that practical obedience to His commands which our Lord said was necessary for admission to the kingdom (5:20). To seek for God’s righteousness, therefore, is a necessary... continued »
Seeking God’s Righteousness
How, then, can we seek the righteousness of God? What practical steps do we take? From the Gospel of Matthew, we see that those who desire to “fulfill all righteousness” will identify with sinners, as Jesus did at His baptism... continued »
Impossible Standard?
Jesus has told His disciples that their righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees if they want to enter the kingdom of heaven (5:20). In the Sermon on the Mount, He lays out the basic principles of... continued »
Dealing with “Dogs” and “Pigs” (3)
We have come now to the only effective way of dealing with difficult people, whose attitudes and actions seem wrong to us. We have already seen that we should first examine ourselves and ask God to show us the more... continued »
Dealing with “Dogs” and “Pigs” (2)
These words are usually interpreted to mean that we should not share God’s Word with people who don’t want to listen. Other passages in the Bible do contain that wise counsel, but perhaps Jesus is saying something else here. More... continued »
Dealing with “Dogs” and “Pigs” (1)
Though usually treated separately, these twelve verses all go together, and provide practical instruction on how to deal with difficult people. What should I do when I notice that my “brother” has a fault? First, I must not condemn him.... continued »
The Road Less Traveled
As He begins the conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus lays before His disciples- and before us – a stark choice. There are two gates; two paths [ways]; and two destinations. Only two. One gate opens wide, and... continued »
Beware of False Prophets
After we enter the narrow gate and start on the difficult way, we need to choose our guides carefully. Many will seek to influence us. Some will appear to be sincere and orthodox, but will conceal their true false character.... continued »
Willing and Able
Huge crowds followed Jesus to hear His teaching. Of those multitudes, Matthew records only one individual who came and spoke with Jesus. What set him apart from the others? He was a leper, afflicted with some loathsome skin disease. According... continued »
The “Power” of Faith
A Roman centurion came to Jesus, “pleading with him, saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” Jesus responded with an offer to “come and heal him,” but the soldier declined the offer, on two grounds: First,... continued »
Jesus Heals
When Jesus announced, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (4:17), He backed up this declaration with words and with deeds. He taught about the life of the kingdom, and He demonstrated the power of the kingdom, and thus added... continued »
Demons Defeated
Right after His baptism, Jesus had been driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, where Satan tempted Him (4:1-11). Having overcome the devil’s clever wiles, Jesus returned to Galilee “in the power of the Spirit” and began His ministry... continued »
Why He Came
Why did the eternal Word of God, the unique Son of God, who was equal in dignity, might, and being with the Father and the Spirit, leave the glories of heaven above to descend to this grubby earth? What motivated... continued »
No More Sickness?
Jesus healed all whom He touched for that purpose, and Matthew connects this with the famous prophetic passage in Isaiah in which the coming Servant “bore the sin of many” (Isaiah 53:12; see also 53:5-6). Does that mean that the... continued »
What He Bore
When the Son of God deigned to become a little baby, He clothed Himself in mortal flesh. From that moment, He began to carry in Himself the consequences of our sin. He knew hunger and thirst; aching fatigue; exhausting labor.... continued »
The Cost of Discipleship
These two statements by Jesus must have stunned the would-be followers who had come to Him. The first man eagerly offered his allegiance: “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” Perhaps he had heard of Jesus’ call to the... continued »
Jesus Calms Our Storms
The disciples had followed Jesus into a little boat and out onto the Sea Galilee. Suddenly a huge storm arose and the waves threatened to swamp the boat. Meanwhile, Jesus was calmly sleeping. Terrified, Jesus’ disciples woke up, shouting, “Lord,... continued »
Calming the Storm
Following their Master, the disciples got into a boat and launched out into the Sea of Galilee. Jesus, exhausted from a full day of teaching and healing, fell asleep in the stern. Suddenly, a fierce storm arose and threatened to... continued »
Dealing with Demons (1)
The word translated “demon-possessed” really means “demonized” – that is, subject to the activity of demons. In this case, the demons actually “inhabited” the men, so “demon-possessed” is the correct meaning. Indeed, many of the Gospel accounts of demons do... continued »
Dealing with Demons (2)
Although demon possession is rare, we should be prepared to expel evil spirits if necessary. From this account, as well as the longer one in Mark’s Gospel ( Mark 5:1-20), we may derive certain guidelines: Recognize the presence of evil... continued »
Dealing with Demons (3)
This striking story illustrates several key truths about demons. They are dangerous. Evil spirits had horribly tormented these two men, so that they lived among tombs, far from human society. From Mark’s Gospel (5:1-20), we learn also that the demons... continued »
Faithful Friends
This man could not walk. Doubtless, He had heard about Jesus’ healing ministry. It seemed that everyone who could get to Jesus would be cured. But how could he make his way into the presence of this mighty healer? He... continued »
Our Main Need
What a strange thing to say! Here lies a man who cannot walk, and Jesus tells him to cheer up, because his sins are forgiven. Does our Lord not know that a crippling disability grips his entire life, keeping him... continued »
The Ideal Husband
In response to a question about fasting, Jesus reveals something very precious about Himself: He is the long-awaited Bridegroom of Israel. Yahweh frequently identifies Himself as the husband of Israel, his people in the Old Testament. - Psalm 45 shows... continued »
Our Heavenly Husband
As we saw last time, Jesus referred to the Old Testament when He called Himself the Bridegroom of His people. The New Testament picks up this theme in a number of important passages referring to Christ. John the Baptist, when... continued »
Our Commission?
Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the multitudes, “for they were weary and scatter, like sheep having no shepherd” (9:36). Observing such needs, He commanded His disciples to “pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers... continued »
Our Call?
Jesus called the disciples to Himself. That is implied in the Greek verb “called,” and made explicit in Mark’s account: Then he appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and... continued »
Twelve Ordinary Men
Whom did Jesus call to be His delegates and messengers to the whole world? To whom did He entrust authority over the church for which He was to die? We would have picked the rich, the powerful, the famous, the... continued »
Jesus the Healer
In the synagogue on a Sabbath day, Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees, who were seeking to find a way to accuse Him of breaking the Sabbath. In the previous passage (Matthew 12:1-8), we read of Jesus’ assertion that He... continued »
Gentle Warrior
Quoting from the prophet Isaiah (42:1-4), Matthew describes the earthly ministry of Jesus: - He was a self-conscious Servant of God. He came not to be served, but to serve (Matthew 21:28); not to do his own will, but that... continued »
Only Two Options
There is no middle ground; no neutral stance; no third way. We go with the Magi, to worship the Baby Jesus, or with Herod, to kill Him. We stand with John the Baptist, who honored Jesus as the Christ, or... continued »
Only Two Options II
Notice the stark contrasts which Jesus places before us: Good man/good heart/good words vs. Evil man/evil heart/ evil words. The Greek word for “good” used here refers to that which is good in itself and helpful to others. The word... continued »
Weighed Words
What an awful prospect! On the last day, when the books are opened and our actions are weighed in the balance, our words will bring justification [ acquittal] or condemnation. Why is that? Because, as we have seen, we speak... continued »
Weighty Words
If “idle” words will be found empty and worthless on the Last Day, what sort of words will receive approval? - “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No,’ ‘No’” (Matthew 5:37). Honest words of conviction and commitment, followed by... continued »
The Case for Christ
Despite all the miracles of healing and exorcism, His matchless teaching, and His sinless life, the Pharisees still demanded from Jesus some proof of His authority! He rebuked them in two ways: By calling them “an evil and adulterous generation”... continued »
Greater than Solomon
Jesus resembles Solomon in several ways: - They are both “sons” of King David (Matthew 1:1, 6). - They amazed people with their wisdom and answers to “insoluble” problems (1 Kings 3:1-28; Matthew 13:54; 22:15-46). - They spoke parables about... continued »
From Bad to Worse
This puzzling passage finds its proper interpretation in the light of what precedes and follows. Jesus delivered people from possession by demons by the power of the Spirit of God, thus demonstrating that the kingdom of God had arrived on... continued »
Listen Up!
The little word, “Behold!” tells us to stop what we are doing and pay attention. At the end of this parable, Jesus emphasized the importance of what He had just said: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”... continued »
Purpose, Priority, Power
From this brief story, included in three Gospels, we learn vital truths: - The purpose of God. God will establish His kingdom on earth (Matthew 6:10; 16:18). Nothing will thwart His intention. - The priority of proclamation. The kingdom comes... continued »
The Purpose of the Parables
Almost everyone likes the parables of Jesus. These short stories highlight some feature of common life in His day and draw out spiritual truths valid for all time. The problem is: Why are the parables sometimes hard to understand? What,... continued »
Temporary Toleration
In the parable of the wheat and the weeds [tares], Jesus explains one reason why God allows the presence of wicked people in the world (13:24-30, 36-43). As in a field of wheat, both the desired crop and the unwanted... continued »
Where Is Jesus?
After feeding five thousand men, plus women and children, Jesus dismissed the crowd, for they were about to make him king. He also sent his disciples off by boat, to get them away from the popular political movement. In the... continued »
Required Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day had to take place! “He must …be raised.” No less than His suffering and death, the stupendous victory of Jesus over the grave was a divine necessity. But why? Jesus had... continued »
Divine Denial
This radical call for self-denial comes from the only Man who fully denied Himself. He left the beauty, comfort, and glory of heaven to enter into this world of suffering and sorrow. In the process, He obscured His peerless “family”... continued »
Taking up the Cross
What does Jesus mean when He requires each of His followers to “take up his cross”? Remember that the cross was an instrument of death, the cruelest form of execution available to the Romans, reserved only for the worst offenders.... continued »
First Things First
Coming down from the mountain where He had been transfigured, Jesus told the disciples, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead” (17:9). They seemed to understand that He referred to Himself... continued »
Learning from John the Baptist
Three disciples had seen Moses and Elijah talking with the Lord when Jesus was transfigured before them, and had been ordered not to tell anyone about the vision until “the Son of Man is risen from the dead” (17:3, 9).... continued »
Redundant Repetition?
Jesus had already said much the same thing not long before this (Matthew 16:21). Why this second prediction of His death and resurrection – to be followed by a third (20:18-19)? Is this merely redundant repetition? No! Jesus would never... continued »
Multiple Offenders
Perhaps the hardest thing to do in life is to forgive someone who repeatedly offends you. It’s much easier to pardon, or even overlook, an occasional slap in the face, but to forgive someone who has time and again hurt... continued »
The Value of Children
Some people had brought their children to Jesus for pray, and had been rebuked by His disciples. Jesus’ response highlights the immense worth of children in His eyes. Why are children so important to Jesus? They issue from marriage, the... continued »
Is God Fair? (2)
We have seen that this parable and Jesus’ concluding remarks fit within a long section in Matthew that, in various ways, overturns our concepts of human worth. But that does not answer the question, “Is God fair in His dealings... continued »
Is God Fair?
With these words, Jesus explains and applies the parable He had just told his puzzled disciples, who had wondered at His saying that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (19:23). Peter had said,... continued »
Fearless Prophet
For the third time, Jesus predicts His coming suffering, death, and resurrection. Why this apparent repetition? He must have wanted to prepare His disciples for what was going to happen, lest they lose heart (see John 16:1). By telling them... continued »
The Proper Response to Christ
This passage is redolent with the fragrance of the Old Testament, and rich in meaning for us today. Jesus had just expelled the money changers from the Temple, and reminded the people that this was to be a house of... continued »
Finishing Well
After forcing the Jewish religious leaders to declare their attitude towards John the Baptist – which they refused to do – Jesus pressed them further with the parable of the two sons. Both were told to go work in their... continued »
Our Only Hope
With these words Jesus not silenced the Sadducees, who did not believe in angels, spirits, or the resurrection from the dead, but also guaranteed for His followers a future filled with hope. The God who called, guided, protected, and loved... continued »
The Compassionate Christ
Jesus concludes His scorching denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees with a revelation of His tender heart towards those who would soon dispatch Him to the Cross. He bears no illusions about the hard and wicked hearts of His enemies.... continued »
Why This Waste?
We know from John’s Gospel that this woman was Mary, the sister of Martha and of Lazarus, whom Jesus had just raised from the dead (John 12:1-3; 11:1-45). She and Martha were apparently serving the meal in Simon’s house. The... continued »
Lasting Fame
What did Mary give to Jesus? And what did she receive in return? She gave Jesus her attention. While others were busy – maybe too busy – Mary found time to sit at Jesus’ feet and drink in His heavenly... continued »
Communion with Christ and Each Other
Just before He faces His ultimate trial, Jesus shares on last Passover meal with His disciples, at the end of which He inaugurates what we now call the Lord’s Supper (or Communion, or the Eucharist). This meal resembles the Jewish... continued »